Yorkshire Post

Labour MPs to face hearings over sleaze

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LABOUR HAS stepped up its investigat­ions into allegation­s of inappropri­ate behaviour against two MPs, it is understood.

Kelvin Hopkins and Ivan Lewis have been referred to the party’s constituti­onal committee for a full hearing into complaints made against them. The men were among a number of Labour and Tory MPs to be investigat­ed after allegation­s of Westminste­r sleaze last year.

Commenting on Mr Lewis’s case yesterday, a Labour spokesman said: “After considerat­ion of statements provided by the complainan­t and the respondent, the NEC’s (national executive committee) sexual harassment panel has agreed that on the balance of the evidence the matter should be referred to a full hearing of the national constituti­onal committee. The Labour Party will not be commenting further on this case until the conclusion of that hearing.”

Mr Lewis was suspended in November following a complaint about his conduct.

Earlier that month BuzzFeed News reported that a woman alleged the Bury South MP had touched her leg and invited her to his house when she was 19 at a Labour Party event in 2010.

A statement issued through his lawyers at the time said Mr Lewis had “never made non-consensual sexual comments or sexual advances to women”. He added: “However, I understand that a few women have claimed that my behaviour made them feel uncomforta­ble.”

Labour did not comment on Mr Hopkins’ case, but it is understood he has also been referred to the National Constituti­onal Committee.

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